Beach volleyball ace Sisi Rondina returns to PH national indoor team

After years of plying her trade in the sands, Sisi Rondina is set to return to the taraflex to rep the Philippine flag.

Rondina is tipped to bolster the Philippine women's volleyball team when it competes in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup for Women from May 22 to 29.

The high-leaping 5-foot-7 outside hitter confirmed her commitment to the flag just moments after Choco Mucho wrapped up its campaign in the PVL All-Filipino Conference on Sunday with a silver medal.

"AVC (ang next). Syempre ‘di naman pwedeng tanggihan ‘yon, pero ‘yun nga, Pilipinas na rin ang dadalhin so sulitin na rin," Rondina said.

[The AVC is up next. Of course, we can't say no to that, well be representing the Philippines so we'll make the most of it.]

Rondina has spent the past few years representing the Philippines in beach volleyball, winning a couple of bronze medals in the 2019 and 2021 editions of the Southeast Asian Games.

The 27-year-old ace also steered the Philippines to a gold medal finish during the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour last December when she and partner Jovely Gonzaga reigned supreme in their compatriot Gen Eslapor and Dij Rodriguez, 22-24, 21-12, 15-12, in the Finals.

Rondina is also optimistic about their chances in the AVC tourney despite a short time of preparation.

"Paghahandaan namin. Sana magka-chemistry agad kami nung mga kasama ko," she added.

[We'll prepare. We hope to develop chemistry right away.]

The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) has yet to reveal the full and final roster for the AVC.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News